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Any home-based profession has its advantages. Medical transcription has more, with the flexibility it offers. However, home-based medical transcription is not everyone’s tea. Don’t jump into the profession because somebody else is into it; the profession may not suit you at all. Let me explain why. You are easily distracted. If the primary reason you want to work from home is the comfort it promises to offer, you have started on the wrong note. Home will provide you comfort but you cannot afford to become comfortable if you want to meet those quality goals and chase those deadlines.You cannot ensure a secluded, noise-free ‘office’ at home. If your office-space is a hangout zone or frequented by family and guests, it is definitely not fit to be an office. Medical transcriptionrequires you to be extremely focused, and you cannot guarantee focus in such an office space.You cannot work in isolation. Some people abhor co-workers while others adore them. Now, if you fall in the latter category, you may not be able to live with the absence of co-workers.You cannot handle an irregular inflow of work. If the thought of irregular work, and thus, irregular income scares you, the home-based profession is definitely not for you.

A home-based transcriptionist has to be prepared to handle ups and downs in terms of work.You cannot guarantee HIPAA-compliance. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has laid some guidelines to ensure security and confidentiality of medical information. As a home-based transcriptionist, you have to take measure to conform to those. If you cannot, don’t work from home.Not being able to cope with the demands of home-based medical transcription does not mean you cannot be a good medical transcriptionist. Just take a regular job instead of working from home.

It is estimated that about 90% of new job openings in the UK are occupied by foreign workers, or at least this was the situation in 2010-2011, according to the Daily Mail. Under these circumstances, it is absolutely natural for foreign workers to be increasingly aware of their rights. Here are some questions they might ask and the answers.

Do I have the same rights as British workers?

Yes, foreign workers and immigrants have the same rights as UK workers.

Can I work in the UK, no matter what is my country of origin?

Yes, you can, if you are from the European Economic Area or Switzerland. People from countries which have joined the EU recently need to get permission from the UK Border Agency. People from outside the EU are accepted if they are highly skilled workers, have an offer to take up skilled work or have studied in the UK and want to remain there to search for skilled work.

Can the employer keep my passport?

Not more than a day. Holding on to one’s passport without their agreement is illegal.

What are my rights?

Minimum wage, which varies depending on the age.

Receiving a payslip telling you how much money you are being paid and how much your employer takes from you for various expenses.

Working no more than 48 hours a week.

Paid holidays. People working five days a week get a 28 days paid holiday a year.

Health and safety protection.

The freedom to quit.

What should I do if I am being discriminated against at work?

Joining a trade union, which may help you even take your employer to court;

Becoming part of a community organisation. It is helpful finding fellow countrymen and enjoying their support.